Abusive (Hormonal?) Hahn's macaw

[Cthebird]

I'm guessing my Hahn's is in an extensive hormonal state because he has been a bit violent in recent months. He's going to be 2 years old next month.

My guy was never violent in the past, especially not with me (his main gal). He likes being with me, but then out of nowhere he pecks at me agressively or downright bites me until it cuts my skin and maybe bleeds. Sometimes the area even bruises. I'm not agressive. I'm only sweet. I'm with him in the same room much of the day, and he's usually out of his cage quite a bit, but lately he's had to be put back (unwillingly) for time outs or just because I don't want to be "punished" any more.

I've tried to limit my handling/petting him, but he wants to be with me. I've definitely put my phone away when he's out. Me on my phone equals severe punishment.

Besides the above, how do I get my former gentle birdy back? Do I have to just wait this period out? I feel bad keeping him in his cage more, but he always ends up on or near me despite having his own play area near his cage. I try to play with him with things like balls and other toys, but he likes me the best.

Even his vocalizations seem agressive. It's like he puts an exclamation point after each word or words he says. The bugger even has a tendency to yell "Very good!" after he is put back in his cage after bites. He's not saying "Very good!" to being back in the cage. If I say "Not good!" he responds "Very good! Very good!"

 

[ChristaNL]

He had his healthcheck?
(just asking to be sure there is no other reason for him to act out other than his hormones)
Adolescents are the worst (just kidding: hormonal behaviour is never much fun when it comes with an extra dollop of agressive behaviour)
Hang in there!!
You know it will not last forever, and if you can be the consistent firm but kind person for a few exhausting months you will have a wellbehaved adult bird for the rest of your lives.

Just try to be the one in controll: "he ends up being with you" is not what you want -> (idealy) a bird comes to you when he is invited, not because he decides to and bites as well.
So put him back, even if you have to do it 500 times the first day(s) and teach him "stay" and "come"

This is playing hardball now, he is trying to find how far he can go-- you are the one to set limits and make sure they are respected.
So be consistent: if he cannot do something on monday and tuesday, that also goes for the rest of the week.


You made me laugh with the "not good- very good" : you have a smart fellow there!

reread 'bitepressuretraining' as well?
not because you have no idea how to, but to know you are not alone.
You can do this!

 

[Cthebird]

Thanks, ChristaNL! He had a health check last May. He seems very healthy, so I'm not overly eager to take him back again quite yet since it's always at least $300 a pop.

He has not been trained to "stay". Definitely my bad! I never really needed to do such training with my past Pacific Parrotlet or budgie, but I know my Hahn's is a totally different animal. I will read up on that training and start it. I hope it's not too late.

 

[ChristaNL]

It's *never* to late No worries.

Training an all-accepting babybird is easy, working with a settled adult bird (not hormonal) is also a breeze once you have bonded, the hormonal adult..will be a tad distracted and a lot less motivated, teenagers...are the worst!


Not only do they have no clue what's going on hormonally, they also are pushing boundries because they are trying to invent their own rules instead of just follow the ones they have been taught (sometimes that can be a good thing as well, but for the other party it is oh so frustrating) they almost simultaniously need you (babybird) love you (adult bird) hate you (somewhere in between bird) -> and that cycles all day, every day... till one day it peters out (or stops, but every bird will test limits once in a while, and thats healthy!) and you can breathe again


So, be alert to the baby/ adult phases and use those in a positive way to train, bond etc. and tell the hater off by correcting and ignoring or isolating a bit when necessary.

 

[Laurasea]

This can also be a bored bird. Switch stuff up. Work on a new trick, create new forage iteams. Provide ways to burn off energy, fly to you fly back ect. Good luck.